Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he continues to be in a position to meet the eating requirements of children with special needs at primary and second level; his expectations for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23623/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that expenditure supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs was some €1.3bn in 2013, which represents approximately 15% of the entire budget of my Department. These resources have been protected, or in some areas have been increased in 2014, despite the ongoing severe financial position and a requirement to make expenditure savings across a range of areas. Included within this provision is provision for up to 10,965 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) of whom 10,656 are currently in place. My Departments Circular 0030/2014 provides details of the scope and purpose of the SNA scheme.

Section 4 of the Circular details the type of care needs which SNAs may assist with, which includes assisting children with special educational needs with feeding. I am satisfied that sufficient SNA provision is available to provide access to SNA support for children who have such care needs in schools.